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Abstract
Exposure to dissolved polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from crude oil delays
pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) embryo development, thus prolonging their susceptibility
to mechanical damage (shock). Exposure also caused mortality, edema, and anemia consistent
with previous studies. Hatching and yolk consumption were delayed, indicating the
rate of embryonic development was slowed by PAH exposure. The net result was that
exposed embryos were more susceptible to shock than normal, unexposed embryos. Susceptibility
to shock was protracted by 4-6d for more than a month in embryos exposed to exponentially
declining, dissolved PAH concentrations in water passed through oiled rock; the initial
total PAH concentration was 22.4microgL(-1) and the geometric mean concentration was
4.5microgL(-1) over the first 20d. Protracted susceptibility to shock caused by exposure
to PAHs dissolved from oil could potentially increase the reported incidence of mortality
in oiled stream systems, such as those in Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez
oil spill, if observers fail to discriminate between direct mortality and shock-induced
mortality.